Raiden Ei was stumped—her first time seeing this.
A human, without elemental power, had reached the Mid-Transmission realm, and not just barely—she'd been there a while.
Raiden Ei's Mid-Transmission realm held many mysteries, most tied to naginata techniques requiring Electro elemental power.
Only a couple of techniques, like Blade Aura or, more precisely, Flying Slash, didn't need Electro but demanded far more from the body.
While Anko and Raiden Ei talked, Reisen Riou played sidekick, secretly logging their high-level naginata discussion. Much of it was so arcane he couldn't follow.
Some bits were pure mysticism—like Raiden Ei's "Unity of mind and will extends your spirit."
Reisen Riou guessed it tied to naginata's Heart Training, but it went over his head. His naginata and sword skills were stuck at LV3, despite daily practice.
Anko, though, caught on fast, even riffing with insights, highlighting the brutal gap in talent and comprehension.
Raiden Ei confirmed Anko's blood-flow sound was healthy, though unprecedented. Likely a good sign.
That reassurance set Anko at ease, and she joined Raiden Ei in devouring desserts.
Raiden Ei shared tips on Anko's Blade Aura technique and its advancement.
Blade Aura stemmed from airflow driven by a swing. Flying Slash worked because strength and will bound that airflow through the weapon.
This airflow had fierce tearing power—Blade Aura's killing edge.
Logically, it should count as Anemo, but it wasn't. It was a physical attack, infused with personal aura, its elemental mix matching ambient air perfectly.
There were also vacuum blade techniques—silent, invisible slashes perfect for assassination.
Long-range Flying Slash gave warriors mass-kill power, crafted by Raiden Ei to speed up Shogunate samurai clearing grunts.
After covering Heart Training and martial theory, Raiden Ei turned to the blood-flow mystery—why it happened and its mechanics.
As Inazuma's martial arts fountainhead, she rarely encountered unknowns in combat. Anko's condition, tied to martial training, was worth studying.
Reisen Riou, the sidekick, got booted out. Raiden Ei needed to examine Anko frankly, and his presence as a male was inappropriate.
Before leaving, he shared his theory.
"I think the water sound comes from blood entering and leaving the heart's chambers. Her heart's so strong, and her body so robust, it needs faster blood flow to meet its demands, causing the sound," he said. "Elemental beings like me or Archons don't have this—our blood carries trace elemental power, offsetting bodily needs."
"I hear your theory. I'll check myself," Raiden Ei said, shooing him out.
Reisen Riou pouted, retreating to another room to wait.
He didn't mention that Raiden Ei didn't need to kick him out—Anko's body was no mystery to him.
After all…
Glancing around to ensure privacy, he covered his left eye.
"Bluetooth connection…"
"Connection successful. External camera eye and recorder linked."
A phone youkai had tricks. His? A surveillance network across Ritou.
Over years, he'd planted devices—extensions of himself—powered by Ley Lines, placed in clog-prone areas.
He could blanket the island with them, monitoring everything, and planned to eventually. For now, he kept it to Ritou Shrine's vicinity, which he could sustain.
One high-perched device covered the Fire Slime Hot Spring…
Reisen Riou wasn't a creep, but checking on slacking junior mikos sometimes caught hot spring glimpses.
So…
He snapped back, refocusing on logging Anko and Raiden Ei's interaction.
After a thorough check, Raiden Ei spoke.
"Your body's responding to your will, evolving toward the non-human," she said. "It's incomplete—only your stomach, intestines, heart, and some blood vessels are enhanced for nutrient uptake. Muscles, bones, and tendons have partial boosts."
"No wonder you've mastered Blade Aura and Clone techniques."
Watching a beauty examine another woman felt odd, but Reisen Riou focused on Raiden Ei's body science, not Anko's looks—she wasn't his type.
Raiden Ei's verdict: Anko's body was evolving to grow stronger, driven by her will.
Good or bad? Even Raiden Ei wasn't sure, suggesting periodic check-ups.
Reisen Riou had another theory: Anko's will wasn't just answered—it was guiding her evolution.
But now wasn't the time to say it. They were dressing and stepping out.
Conveniently, Reisen Riou had questions for Raiden Ei too.
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